it is no coincidence or strange happening that the voices of the people who know righteousness are silent in the face of public deceit and criminal intent in high places. Little children know that the leaders of the nations are selfish, brutish, ignorant and corrupt. There is no jurisdiction where bad things are not happening. We have come from a tradition – African Diaspora – where consciousness began with hard questions about identity and the function of justice. The case of Nathan, a prophet in King David’s house, illustrates a missing element in bringing truth to bear in the halls of power.

We have leaders who seem eager and ready to throw the library at wrongdoing in the church but never have even a “small rebuke” to the people who oppress us in the courts of justice and rob us blind of our wages, and they love to be called ‘man of God’.

Courage! Are you still with us?

We know what our leaders have done and someone – just one – must have the courage to tell the story to them. You think? Nathan told David’s story to David. The king’s response is legendary.

And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD lives, the man that has done this thing shall surely die: 6. And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7. And Nathan said to David, You are the man. Thus said the LORD God of Israel, I anointed you king over Israel…

2 Samuel 12:5-7a

IS THERE a general, a great economist or person of scientific or medical expertise who dares to tell the truth? Is there only one lawyer who knows the score and has courage to tell? Where are the Nathans? What will become of the dumb prophets near the throne? For now they are comfortable sitting in the seats of power. Waking up or standing up seems delayed.